Shotgun choke with integral wad-stopping feature

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a shotgun choke with integral wad-stopping feature for use with an existing shotgun. The choke generally comprises a hollow cylinder having (an) a coupling for securing it to the muzzle end such as an external series of screw threads proximate one end for screw-insertion to the muzzle end of an existing shotgun, and an internal channel defined by an overall taper running from the inserted end to the output end to constrict shotgun pellets passing there through. The wad-stopping feature is accomplished with a series of raised internal projections or steps (raised from the internal walls of the channel), the projections being spaced throughout the tapered channel to retard and separate a traveling wad from the shot when passing there through.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application derives priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/454,368 filed Mar. 12, 2003

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to shotgun chokes and, more particularly, to achoke (barrel) reducer which constrains the shot pattern of pelletsfired by a shotgun, and which additionally slows the wad down so that itwill not follow behind the shot.

2. Description of the Background

It is well-known that choke devices can be used to tighten the shotpattern of pellets fired by a shotgun. A choke is a removable interiortube at the end of the shotgun barrel that constricts shot dispersion.Choke tubes typically come in various configurations and can produceeither a very wide shot dispersion, or a much tighter shot pattern.Different chokes are used for skeet, trap, and sporting clays, andhunting.

Typically, shotguns are now provided with a barrel whose muzzle hasinterior threads. This allows an appropriately made choke to be threadedonto the end of the barrel. This also allows the owner to interchangechokes so he can select his desired shot pattern.

A conventional shotgun shell also includes wadding in which the shot isencased. When the shotgun is fired, the wadding follows it up the barrel(actually propelling the shot until both leave the barrel). When thewading is ejected it affects the shot pattern, often resulting in awider pattern than desired. There are no existing choke designs thatinherently prevent this. There are, however, “wad-stoppers” to slow thewad as it moves outward from the barrel, thereby separating it from thepellets and minimizing its effect on the shot pattern. For example, U.S.Pat. No. 6,128,846 to Walker et al. issued Oct. 10, 2000 shows a shotgunchoke tube with radial projections that engage and retard a wad/cupexiting the barrel. However, the projections are only operative on aplastic wad cup which carries the pellets, and such wad cups aretypically used only in a portion of modern shotgun shells.

It would be greatly advantageous to provide a choke with integral wadstopping feature to serve both purposes, controlling the shot patternand as well stopping the wad as it moves outward from the barrel,thereby separating it from the pellets and minimizing its effect on theshot pattern, regardless of whether the wadding is fabric, cardboard, orplastic shot cups.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to providean improved choke design for a shotgun choke with integral wad-stoppingfeature operative on fabric or cardboard wadding, plastic shot cups, orotherwise.

It is another object to provide a choke that can be screw-attached tothe muzzle end of a shotgun, the choke having an integral wad stopper tostop the wad as it moves outward from the barrel, thereby rapidlyseparating it from the pellets and minimizing its effect on the shotpattern.

These and other objects are accomplished by a shotgun choke withintegral wad-stopping feature for use with an existing shotgun. Thechoke generally comprises a hollow cylinder having a coupling at one endfor attaching it to the muzzle such as an external series of screwthreads for screw-insertion to the muzzle end of an existing shotgun, araised and textured opposing end for gripping and to act as an insertionstop against the shotgun barrel, and an internal channel defined by anoverall taper running from the inserted end to the output end toconstrict shotgun pellets passing there through. The wad-stoppingfeature is accomplished with a plurality of annular steps spaced alongthe tapered interior. The steps further comprise a series of raisedannular internal projections, raised from the internal walls of thechannel. The projections may take the form of circular steps or lands,or a pattern of individual projections being (equally) optimally spacedthroughout the tapered channel to catch and separate a traveling wadfrom the shot when passing there through while assuring wad expulsion.The general taper accomplishes the purpose of constricting the shotpattern, while the stepped configuration along the taper retards thewad.

The present invention's design is simple and straightforward, highlyeffective, can be economically manufactured, and there is no wastedmaterial in the production process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiments and certain modifications thereof when takentogether with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the choke 2 with integral wadstopper according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-section of the choke 2 with integral wad stopperas in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the choke 2 with integral wad stopper as inFIGS. 1-2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the choke 2 with integral wadstopper according to the present invention. The choke 2 generallycomprises a hollow cylindrical section of machined stainless steel ofapproximately 3″ length and having a coupling (a series of screw threads10) proximate one end for attachment such as by screw-insertion to themuzzle end of an existing shotgun. A raised textured section 12 acts asan insertion-stop within the shotgun barrel and also provides a betterfinger grip for insertion. When installed, the shot pellets pass throughan inner channel 20 of the choke 2.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-section of the choke 2 with integral wad stopperas in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an end view of the choke 2.

As with conventional chokes, the inner channel 20 is tapered slightly toconstrict the pellets passing there through in order to control the shotpattern. As an example, for one of the popular model shotguns, the 12gage, the taper runs from approximately a {fraction (7/10)}″ diameter atthe input end to an approximate {fraction (13/20)}″ diameter {fraction(1/10)}″ inside the input end, although the degree and length of tapermay be varied to accomplish a given shot pattern. Other bore diameterbarrels require appropriate sizing with similar patters. The taper maybe confined to a section of the channel 20 or may be formed as anoverall taper running from the input end to the output end.

In accordance with the dual-purpose of the present invention, anintegral wad-stopping feature is accomplished by forming a pattern ofannular steps from the input end through approximately {fraction (2/3)}the length of the choke 2, the steps serving to catch and rapidly retardthe wad following the shot. More specifically, a first step 30 a islocated approximately {fraction (1/10)}″ inside the input end, a secondstep 30 b is located approximately {fraction (5/10)}″ inside the inputend, a third step 30 c is located approximately {fraction (9/10)}″inside the input end, a fourth step 30 d is located approximately 1 and{fraction (3/10)}″ inside the input end, and a fifth step 30 e islocated approximately 1 and {fraction (7/10)}″ inside the input end.Each of the steps 30 a-e are raised approximately 0.004″ (0.1 mm), andthe raised lip of each inward step-projection catches and progressivelyretards the traveling wad to separate it from the shot. In this regard,the raised lip of each inward step-projection 30 a-e may be formed witha sharp or rounded edge for various degrees of wad retardation. Thetransition between each internal step 30 a-e along said cylinder may behorizontal (the steps themselves defining a progressively smallerinternal diameter within said cylinder), or the transitions may beramped between successive internal steps to contribute to the overalltaper.

In use, the hunter screw-attaches the choke 2 to the muzzle end of ashotgun by insertion of the receiving end into the barrel and byscrew-threading threads 10 therein to fix the choke 2 in place. Uponfiring the shotgun, the taper of the inner channel 20 constricts thepellets passing there through in order to control the shot pattern, andthe integral wad stopper comprising steps 30 a-e dramatically retardsthe wad as it moves outward from the barrel, thereby separating it fromthe pellets and minimizing its effect on the shot pattern.

The choke 2 according to the present invention is operative on fabric orcardboard wadding, plastic shot cups, or most other forms of wadding, itcan be easily screw-attached to the muzzle end of a shotgun, and hasbeen found to provide a highly accurate and tightly controlled shotpattern by virtue of the combined taper with integral progressive wadstopper to stop the and minimize its effect on the shot pattern.

Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiment and certainmodifications of the concept underlying the present invention, variousother embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of theembodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to thoseskilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept.For example, the projections need not be annular, but alternatively maybe connected along a spiral pattern.

It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practicedotherwise than as specifically set forth in the appended claims.

1. A choke with integral wad stopper for use with an existing shotgun,comprising: a hollow cylinder having a coupling at one end forconcentrically securing it to a muzzle end of said shotgun, saidcylinder being defined by an internal channel having a an increasinglysmaller average internal diameter running away from the coupling end toconstrict shotgun pellets passing there through; a plurality of raisedannular projections spaced along said tapered channel to retard andseparate wadding from behind said shotgun pellets while passing throughsaid cylinder.
 2. The choke according to claim 1, wherein said pluralityof raised internal projections each further comprise an internal annularstep along said cylinder.
 3. A choke according to claim 1, wherein eachof said plurality of raised annular projections comprises a sharp edgedisposed toward said coupling end of said cylinder.
 4. A choke accordingto claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of raised annular projectionscomprises a rounded edge disposed toward said coupling end of saidcylinder.
 5. A choke according to claim 2, wherein each internal stepalong said cylinder defines a smaller internal diameter within saidcylinder.
 6. A choke according to claim 5, further comprising a ramptransition between successive internal steps along said cylinder.
 7. Thechoke according to claim 1, wherein said coupling further comprises anexternal series of screw threads for screw-insertion to the muzzle endof said existing shotgun.
 8. The choke according to claim 9, furthercomprising a textured area along an outer surface of said cylinder toimprove gripping while screwing it into the muzzle end of said existingshotgun.
 9. A choke according to claim 1, wherein each of said raisedannular projections further comprise a ramp transition to a nextsuccessive projection, thereby defining a constricting taper runningaway from said coupling end of the cylinder.
 10. A choke according toclaim 1, wherein said projections are connected along a spiral pattern.